Relay.



LP. BUCHANAN L P. B. WIEGAND.

RELAY.

APPLIOATIONHLBD JULY 1s, 1907.

909, 146, f Patented Jan. 12, 1909.`

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. P. BUCHANAN & P. B. WIEGAND.

RELAY. v

- APPLIUATION FILED JULY 1a, 1907.

Patented .13,11712, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE Hemels PETERS ca., wAsHmamu, D c4 J. P. BUCHANAN &' E'. B. WIBGAND.

RELAY. APPLICATION FILED JULY 1B, 1907.

` 909,146. Patented .12.11.12, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Unir@ srarns ramasse critici-a JOHN P. BUCHANAN AND FREDERICK B. WIEGAND, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

RELAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

Application filed July 18, 1907. Serial No. 384,359.

To @ZZ whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that we, JOHN P. BUCHANAN and FREDERICK B. VVIEGAND, citizens of the United States, residents of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, have jointly invented a new and useful improvement in llelays, of which the following is a specilication, the principle of the invention being` herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

Gurinvention relates to relays, particularly to relays for use in railway block signal systems of the automatically electrically operated type.

rl`he particular object of our invention is the provision, in connection with automatic electric signal systems, of means for eliminating' the harmful effects that frequently arise in such systems owing to the leakage of the current rendered possible by the poor insulation of the rails which form the greater portion of the conductors of the system.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, such invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

E he annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain nicchanisin embodying' the invention, such disclosed means constituting', however, but one of various mechanical foi-nis in which the principle of the invention may be used.

ln said annexed drawings: Figure l represents, partly in diagrammatic fashion, a .section of block signal apparatus with our improved form of relay incorporated therein; Fig. 2 shows a modification in the construction of such relay: and Fig. 3 shows still a third constructional form.

An approved and quite generally adopted method of equipping a road with an automatic electric signal system is to divide the track up into blocks of the desired length, a signal of the pattern adopted being placed at the entrance of each block. The rails of each block are then made'into a track circuit by insulating` the rails of one from those of the nent block by means of fiber end-pieces of the same size as the rail, and by using wooden or liber splices in connection with the iron fish-plates ordinarily employed in joining the ends of the rails together, each rail within a block being oined to the next one by suitable bond wire. At one end generally that farthest removed from the signal, a. battery, usually of two cells, is loA cated, the two poles of which are respectively joined by wire to the two lines of rail. ln practice it should be stated it has been found impossible to make the length of a circuit supplied from one battery equal to that of a whole block owing to the increase in leakage; consequently a block often includes several sub-circuits or sections which, however, are so connected as to be in eil'ect a single circuit. In Fig. l of the drawings hence but a single circuit is represented. Such track circuit is merely a control circuit and includes a relay, usually placed at the signal end of the section, the armature of which controls the more powerful signal actuating circuit as will appear'. So far as this invention is concerned, the pattern of signal employed is a matter of indifference and may be a pneumatic lestinghouse semaphore, the electrically operated disk signal of Hall, or any other type of signal, whether operated directly, or indirectly, by the current in the signal circuit,

lt has been stated that the particular obw ject of our present invention is the elimination of the harmful effects frequently arising from the leakage above referred to as incidental to the character of the relay circuit; for will be obvious the insulation of one line of rail from the other, in spite of the low voltage of the current in the relay circuit, is by no means perfect. Leakage from one line of rail to the other under ordinary circumstances entails no more serious disadvantage than that incidental to the waste of current involved. and the consequent increase in cost of maintenance in the way of battery supplies. A much more serious disadvantage, however, is apt to arise when one of the lines of rail is broken, as by removal from the line of a rail in the course of repair operations or the like. Under such cir cumstances leakage across the break in the line is just as likely to occur as across from one line of rail to the other, particularly in wet weather' conditions. The result here, even though the current is much reduced in power, is not infrequently the retention of the armature of the track relay in its closed position whereby the signal is held safe in spite of the possibility of serious accident on the road. By the improved form of relay, which we shall now proceed to describe, it is proposed to break such signal circuit whenever the amount of current in the track circuit is materially weakened, as by the causes above described, so that, even in spite of a slight leakage across a broken rail, or the like, the signal will be moved to danger as it should.

Referring, then, particularly to the drawings, A will be seen to designate a section of track constituting a block of the signal system, the respective rail sections Z a of which constitute the maj or portion of the track, or control, circuit, such circuit being completed by the battery B connected with the rails at one end of the block as shown, and two leads i2 a3 that connect the opposite ends of the rail with the coil of a track relay C. The pivotal armature c of such track relay bears a spring contact member 0 that is connected with a binding post c2 and vibrates between two contact posts 03 c4, posts c2 and c3 being included in the signal circuit F. Such contact spring, it will be accordingly seen, is adapted, upon energization of the magnet, and consequent inward actuation of the armature, to close the signal circuit F whereby the signal f is actuated, such circuit being energized by a battery f.

Suitably mounted adjacent to track relay C, is a secondary magnet D, that, in the rst form of the device shown in Fig. 1, is mounted at the outer end of the relay, being disposed with its axis extending transversely to that of the main, or relay, magnet C. This magnet D is adapted to be connected in a circuit Z in shunt with signal actuating circuit F. Such connection is controlled by the magnets own armature Z, which is pivotally mounted and bears a spring contact member d2 adapted to vibrate between an insulated contact Z3 and a contact Z4 forming one terminal of such circuit Z, the spring contact member in question being connected with a binding post Z5 that constitutes the Vother terminal of such circuit. Contact-s Z3 and Z4 are mounted upon the respective arms of a bifurcated support Z9 preferably oscillatory about a pivotal axis as shown. This support is in effect free to oscillate as may be necessary in order to permit armature 03 its full range of movement, but by tightening the screw 1, constituting such axis, sutlicient frictional resistance to its movement may be provided to prevent movement thereof at any other time. The distance between the contacts Z3 and Z4 is made such that a very slight movement, indeed, of the armature bearing the contact spring @Z2 will suflice to close the shunt circuit. When the return movement of the armature takes place, the contact spring will obviously press against the insulated or dead contact Z3 and so there is no possibility of the circuit being prematurely, or inadvertently, closed.

Pivotal armature Z has a lever connection with the armature c of the track relay such connection being had, in the form illustrated, through a lever arm ZG fixedly mounted upon said first armature and joined at its free end to a connecting rod Z7 that bears against relay armature c. The arrangement and adjustment of said connecltion are such that, when relay armature c is closed, armature Z is forced away from magnet D and sthe shunt circuit Z through such magnet thereby broken as has `iust been explained. This will obviously be the normal condition of the apparatus when the current is regularly flowing in the track circuit. Should, however, such current cease to flow, or be materially decreased in amount, there will be an easing up in the attraction of the relay magnet on the armature c, that while not necessarily suflicient in the prevailing construction always to break the contact, will nevertheless produce a sufficient movement, through the magnifying effect of its leverl connection with armature oZ, to close the shunt circuit Z controlled through such last armature. The moment this circuit is closed, the magnet D becomes magnetized and the armature is drawn sharply to it, thus giving a sharp thrust, or kick to connecting rod Z7 that will suffice to dislodge the armature c in spite of any residual magnetism in the relay magnet.

To overcome friction or other resistance to the movement of the several parts involved in the above operation, it may be desirable or necessary to employ a spring Z2 or the like, that is preferably connected, as shown, to the armature Z of Vsecondary magnet D.

The form of device, illustrated in the modified structure of Fig. 2, differs but slightly from that above described, the track relay C and its connections being of course the same as before. For this reason the latter are shown in part only. In place, however, of a pivotal armature cZ, a simple reciprocating armature is here employed inV connection with the secondary magnet D, the connecting rod (Z7 of the previous structure being replaced by a prolongation of such armature, which latter rests, as before, loosely in contact with the armature c of the relay magnet. Closing of the shunt circuit (Z, in which is included the secondary magnet, is effected by `means of a back contact spring c5 borne by armature c of the relay itself. The result of a very slight movement of such armature will obviously, as before, suilice to close this circuit, and thereupon, owing to the actuation of the armature plunger of such secondary magnet, a

movement of much greater amplitude Will be imparted to the relay armature than would otherwise be the case and the actuating circuit be broken beyond all peradventure. The spring corresponding to the spring' als of the previous structure is in this case conveniently incased in the core of the secondary magnet, its function here being primarily to support the Weight of the movable parts, thus rendering the armature more sensitive in its action. A. variation in the form of contact spring o borne by armature c of the relay and adapted to make and break the signal actuating circuit F is also here shown. This contact member, instead of being flexible throughout its Whole length, as in the lirst described type of relay, is made relatively rigid except for its extreme terminal portion di Such tip cousists of a short highly flexible strip, preferably of German silver or the like, that as the armature is drawn up close readily bends or buckles so as to allow its end to slide upon the face of the contact post c3.

The character of the differences in structure distinguishing the relay shown in Fig. 3 from the one appearing in the ligure last described is so obvious as not to require further description than to point out that the forward disposition of the contact spring c5 for controlling the shunt circuit is preferred., both because it permits of a more compact arrangement of the device, and also because accidental downward movement of the support Z9 due to arring or the like cannot etlfect a closure of the shunt circuit.

Further description of the operation of our improved relay is thought unnecessary. Attention may merely be called, by Way 01 conclusion, to the fact that the employment oi' the second or auxiliary magnet D in no Wise aliects the closure of the relay armature when its magnet is again properly eX- cited; for since the magnet circuit d is a shunt circuit of circuit F, the breaking of the latter at once serves to cut out magnet D also. rllhe temporary, instantaneous, tlow of current, however, that is sent through such magnet While armature c is wavering as the current through the relay magnet C weakens, is suliicient to er'tect the purpose desired, that or sending` armature c about its business. ll the current in the relay increases there is nothing to hinder the return of the armature immediately thereupon to its closed position. By proper initial ad- `iustnient of the several contact posts, and particularly of the distance between posts Z3 and (Z4, any desired degree of sensitiveness Within the resilient, or buckling, limit of contact spring c may obviously be secured.

lt is of course Without any implication of limitation of usefulness that our improved relay has been described in connection with railway signal apparatus. lt should also be stated that the auxiliary magnet is equal-ly eti'ective preventing any improper cleaving ot the spring contact borne by the relay armature, thereby closing the signal circuit, whether such clearing be due to the causes hereinbetore referred to. such as current leakage in the track circuit, or Whether it be due to a slight t'using of the contacts such as might be incident to a static discharge or unusually heavy flow of current.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

ldlc therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention l. The combination With an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, of a magnet adapted to break said circuit, energizacion of said magnet being controlled by movement of the armature or' said relay.

F2. The combination With an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, of a magnet adapted to positively actuate the armature of said relay to break said circuit, energization of said magnet being controlled by movement of said armature.

3. The combination With an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, of a magnet adapted to positively actuate the armature of said relay to break said circuit, energization of said magnet being controlled by slight initial movement of said armature.

4. The combination With an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, the armature of said relay being provided With a spring contact for closing said circuit, of a iagnet adapted to positively actuate the armature ot said relay to break said circuit, onergization of said magnet being controlled by movement of said armature Within the buckling limit of such spring contact.

The combination with an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the saine, of a magnet in shunt with said circuit and adapted to break the same, energization of said magnet. being controlled by movement of the armature of said relay.

G. The combination with an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, of a circuit in shunt With said actuating circuit, the armature of said relay being adapted to control said shunt circuit also, and a magnet in said shunt circuit adapted. when, energized, to positively actuate said armature to break said actuating circuit.

7. The combination with an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, of a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, slight initial movement of the armature of said relay being effective to close said shunt circuit, and a magnet in said 'shunt circuit adapted, when the latter is thus closed, to positively actuate said armature to break said actuating circuit.

S. The combination with an actuating circuit and a relay controlling the same, the armature of said relay being provided with a spring Contact for closing said circuit, of a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, movement of such armature within the buckling limit of its spring contact being effective to close said shunt circuit, and a magnet in said shunt circuit adapted when the latter is thus closed to positively actuate said armature to break said actuating circuit.

9. The combination of an actuating` circuit, a relay controlling the same, said relay having a pivoted armature, a fixed contact forming one terminal of said circuit, a spring contact borne by such armature and constituting the other terminal of said circuit, a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, means for making and breaking said shunt circuit, said means being operatively connected with such armature so as to close said circuit upon slight outward movement of' the same, and a magnet in said shunt circuit, the armature of said magnet being connected to actuate said relay armature outwardly when said magnet is energized.

l0. The combinationof an actuating circuit, a relay controlling the same, said relay having a pivoted armature, a fixed contact forming one terminal of said circuit, a spring contact borne by such armature and constituting the other terminal of said circuit, a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, means for making and breaking said shunt circuit, said means being operatively connected with such armature so as to close said circuit upon outward movement of such armature within the buckling limit of its spring contact, and a magnet in said shunt circuit, the armature of said magnet being connected to actuate said relay armature outwardly when said magnet is energized.

l1. The combination of an actuating circuit, a relay controlling the same, said relay having a pivoted armature, a fixed contact forming one terminal of said circuit, a spring contact borne by said armature and constituting the other terminal of said circuit, a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, a magnet in said shunt circuit, a pivoted armature adapted to be actuated by said magnet, said armature being adapted to make and break said shunt circuit and means connecting said armatur with said relay armature whereby slight initial movement of the latter is effective to close said shunt circuit and whereby energization of said magnet is effective to further move said relay armature to break said actuating circuit.

12. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a track circuit, an actuating circuit, a relay interposed in said track circuit and adapted to control said actuating circuit, and a magnet adapted to break said actuating circuit, energization of said magnet being controlled by movement of the armature of said relay.

13. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of a track circuit, an actuating circuit, a relay interposed in said track circuit and adapted to control said actuating circuit the armature of said relay being provided with a spring contact for closing such circuit and a magnet adapted to positively actuate the armature of said relay to break said actuating circuit, energization of said magnet being controlled by movement of said armature within the buckling limit of such spring contact.

lll. ln apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a track circuit, an actuatl ing circuit, a relay interposed in said track circuit and adapted to control said actuating circuit, the armature of said relay being provided with a springI contact for closing said circuit, a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, movement of said armature within the buckling limit of its spring contact being effective to close said shunt circuit, and a magnet in such shunt circuit adapted when the latter is thus closed to positively actuate said armature to break said actuating circuit. Y

l5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a track circuit, an actuating circuit, a relay interposed in said track circuit and adapted to control said actuating circuit, said relay having a pivoted armature, a fixed contact forming one terminal of said track circuit, a spring contact borne by such armature and forming the other Yterminal of said circuit, a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit, means for making andV breaking such shunt circuit, said means being operatively connected with such armature so as to close said circuit upon slight outward movement of the same, and a magnet in said shunt circuit, the armature of said magnet being connected to actuate said relay armature outwardly when said magnet is energized.

1 6. The combination of an actuating circuit, a relay controlling the same; a fixed contact forming one terminal of said circuit; a spring contact borne by the relay armature and constituting the other terminal of said circuit; a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit', means for making and breaking said shunt circuit, said means including a movable support provided with an insulated contact and a contact forming one terminal of said shunt circuit, and a movable contact member lying between the contacts of said support and forming the other terminal ofthe circuit said movable member being operatively connected with such relay armature; and a magnet in said shunt circuit, the armature of said magnet being connected to actuate such relay armature outvvardly when said magnet is energized.

17. The combination of an actuating circuit, a relay controlling the same; a iiXed Contact forming one terminal of said Circuit; a spring contact borne by the relay armature and constituting the other terminal of said circuit; a circuit in shunt with said actuating circuit; a magnet in said shunt circuit, the armature of saidmagnet being connected to actuate such relay armature outwardly when said magnet is energized; and means for making and breaking said shunt circuit, said means including a movable support provided with an insulated Contact and a contact forming one terminal of said shunt circuit, and a contact member borne by said magnet armature and lying between the contacts of said support, said member forming the other terminal of said circuit.

18. In apparatus of the class described, circuit making and breaking means comprising a movable support provided with an insulated Contact and a Contact forming one terminal of the circuit, means adapted to retain said support in whatever position it may be left, and a movable contact member :f

lying between the contacts of said support and forming the other terminal of the circuit.

19. In apparatus of the class described, circuit making and breaking means comprisiug a positively moving contact member forming one terminal of the circuit, a second movable contact member, movement of the former being effective to move the latter, and means adapted to retain the latter in whatever position it may be thus left.

QQ. ln apparatus of the class described, circuit-making and breaking means comprising a positively moving Contact member termin one terminal of the circuit, a second movable Contact member, movement of the 'former being effective to move the latter, and frictional means adapted to retain the latter in whatever position it may be thus left.

Signed by us this th day of July, 1907.

JOHN P. BUCHANAN. FREDERCK B. WIEGAND.

Attested by- E. R. Rom), JNO. F. OBERLIN. 

